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MyspaceReading scripts just got easier, thanks to Santa Barbara resident Guy Goldstein.
Goldstein, a screenwriter and software programmer, created readthrough.com for actors and his fellow screenwriters. One day in 2010, Goldstein was looking forward to reading a script that a friend had given him but wasn’t looking forward to all the sitting in L.A. traffic he had to do that day. Making the most out of the situation, he created an initial version of the ReadThrough program and listened to the script during his drive.
“It was so useful,” he said, “that I returned home and started the program.” He created the recently launched website, he added, “with a vision to make the reading process easier.”
In about “5-10 seconds,” Goldstein said, screenwriters can upload a PDF version of their script and embellish the process from there. The writers can choose computer-generated voices to read the scripts — which can be downloaded and listened to on mp3 devices — or can choose voice actors from the site’s database. They can also add music and sound effects to further convey the plot.
Saying that readthrough.com makes script-reading (or -listening, rather) “a pleasure instead of an inconvenience,” Goldstein added that the program benefits actors and screenwriters alike. The writers get to hear their work performed and get feedback on it, and the voice actors are provided with helpful cues and a choice of playback options depending on their line-memorization level.
And both parties — the screenwriters especially — can rest assured that their work is secure, Goldstein said. In addition to being SSL-encrypted, readthrough.com doesn’t claim ownership of the scripts, and the only person able to access the script is the writer, who is then able to either provide certain people with a password or make the script public. The site, Goldstein said, supports several types of software in addition to PDFs: Celtx, Final Draft 8, Text, and Microsoft Word.
The site is subscription-based, but the first month is free so that people, Goldstein said, “can try it out.”
“I think a lot of people are getting excited about it,” he added. “The goal is to change the way people review scripts. The traditional way is a time-consuming process that can prevent scripts from getting seen.”
For more information, visit http://www.readthrough.com.
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Comments
I think this is brilliant!
geodel23 (anonymous profile)
June 29, 2012 at 12:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Final Draft already has this function.. but I like the idea of being able to leave the room while the script is being read, instead of being stuck actually reading most of the ones I'm sent.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
June 29, 2012 at 8:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a great idea! As a writer, it's not just about the convenience, it's about "seeing" something you've written in a different way (which is why screenwriters do table reads).
Hearing what you've written is incredibly helpful. Cool site!
iFlick (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 11:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it'd be especially useful for dialogue, if not the actual timing.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 11:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Final Draft doesn't have as many computer voices, or as good quality. Plus, ReadThrough.com has real actors.
beagle101 (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 11:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think its unsurprisingly enterprising, but utterly daffy. If the narrator in your head cannot overcome the need to have other human voices reading what should be evident to any good writer worth their parse, you may wish to look into a fine career in aluminum siding.
Draxor (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
What a marvelous thing! Recently heard that Judi Dench is losing her sight to macular degeneration...what a great idea for her and other visually impaired and blind performers to be able to review scripts in their own time and speed, rather than depending on someone to read them through for them!
Holly (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Leslie Nielsen was deaf.
My old acting coach Dana Elcar went blind while he was on MacGyver, and they kept him, I don't think most audiences ever knew.
There are many impaired performers you would never know have an issue.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 2:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
It's really helped me a lot in catching little errors my eye just skips over... and catching dialogue that sounds good in my head when on paper, but is dull or dragged out when verbalized. It's helped me to shorten/densify my script quite a bit actually. It's also been so fun putting music and sound effects to it - really cool having it come more to life. Not to mention being able to listen while on the road or taking a walk. Love it! Great idea! Voice acting in other people's scripts is a lot of fun too!! Thanks for providing this cool tool!
belle_flower83 (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 2:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can it read astroturf?
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 6 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I've never met a writer, of screenplays or anything that didn't at least sign a credible pen name.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 6:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Heheh @Ken Volok. :-) I'm the site's creator (Guy Goldstein), and though I did comment anonymously, I didn't intend for any fake marketing material to go up - all I wanted to do was mention one of the distinctions between us and Final Draft. I wish I'd said the comment came from me, and I apologize for being misleading. It was dumb.
belle_flower83's comment is clearly astroturf, which I didn't know about and was really disappointed to see. I suspect the rest came from real people (yours clearly did! :-)), and I hope no one else will post unless they're actually using it or at least independently think it's a good/bad idea.
Again, I apologize for the disingenuous comment(s). Please try the site for yourselves, and make your own decisions about its value. :-)
beagle101 (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great idea. As a screenplay writer who has a day job, Im hoping listening on a constant basis, will help to keep me in the story. Can't wait to check it out.
ramoncramon (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 7:26 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Mr. Goldstein, in my script you're a good guy. BTW, I found your original post more informative; unlike the other ones in which we refer.
Ken_Volok (anonymous profile)
July 2, 2012 at 8:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)